Centrifuge for separating solids from liquids



Aug. 1, 1967 o. MAURER 3,333,765

CENTRIFUGE FOR SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM LIQUIDS Filed June 12, 1964 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. 1

AWE TOE Use/1R M UREA o. MAURER 3,33

CENTRIFUGE FOR SEPARATING SQLIDS FROM LIQUIDS Aug. 1, 1 967 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 12, 1964 m mm m T .w. m :T k M M R m s O m? wUnited States Patent 3,333,765 CENTRIFUGE FOR SEPARATING SOLIDS FROMLIQUIDS Oscar Maurer, Wattwil, Saint Gall, Switzerland, assignor t0Turbo-Separator Ag, Wattwil, Switzerland, a corporation of SwitzerlandFiled June 12, 1964, Ser. No. 374,652 Claims priority, applicationSwitzerland, June 25, 1963, 7,863/63 3 Claims. (Cl. 233-22) The presentinvention relates to an improved centrifuge for separating solids fromliquids in which a liquid film is formed in a centrifugal drum to whichliquid is continuously delivered and skimmed or removed from the innercircumference thereof.

It has been seen that with such type centrifuges a greater eificiency ofthe centrifuge can be obtained by virtue of such liquid removal.Previously, a stationarily arranged removal device was employed for theskimming or removal operation. If, during the course of operation of thecentrifuge, a certain quantity of solids has been separated at the outercircumference of the liquid film in the centrifugal drum, then in orderto remove the same the centrifuge must be brought to standstill anddisassembled; this of course resulting in longer interruptions inoperation and being complicated.

This disadvantage is overcome with the centrifuge of the presentinvention in that at least one removal device is constructed to bedisplaceable in the radial direction with respect to the liquid film, sothat during the rotation of the centrifugal drum there can be optionallywithdrawn from the latter clarified liquid and separated solids. Inorder to remove the separated solids, in this instance, the centrifugemust not be brought to standstill and disassembled, and therefore aneconomical operation is possible.

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention relates to theprovision of an improved centrifuge capable of continuous operation.

A further extremely important object of the present invention hasreference to the provision of an improved centrifuge constructed in sucha manner that the purified liquid and separated solids can be removedfrom the centrifuge without bringing the latter to a standstill.

Another noteworthy object of the present invention concerns providing animproved centrifuge which is relatively simple in construction,economical to manufacture, easy to operate and service, and capable ofoperating in an eflicient manner.

Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent by reference to the following detailed description and drawingsin which:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical sectional view taken through a first embodimentof inventive centrifuge;

FIGURE 2 is a schematic, partially horizontal sectional view of theapparatus of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 2a is a side view of the apparatus of FIG- URE 2; and

FIGURE 3 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of a furtherembodiment of inventive centrifuge.

Describing now the drawings, in the embodiment depicted in FIGURE 1 anelectric drive motor 2 is arranged upon a base plate 1. The drive motor2 drives a belt pulley 4 through the agency of a V-belt drive 3.

This belt pulley 4 is secured to the lower end of a journal box orbushing 5 rotatably mounted by means of roller bearings 6 upon a journalpin or shaft 7 connected to the base plate 1 through the intermediary ofa nut 8. A cover member 9 is located at the upper end of the bushing 5,to which is detachably secured a centrifugal drum 12 by means of ascrewed nut 10 and ring 11. Stabilizing vanes or impellers 14 areconnected to the floor of the centrifugal drum 12 by means of screws 13or equivalent fastening expedients. Also, a separating ring 15 ismounted to such stabilizing impellers or vanes 14 in the region of thefloor of the aforesaid centrifugal drum 12. A cover member 16 is appliedto the centrifugal drum 12 and connected thereto via screw 17.

In a housing 18 of the centrifuge there is provided a ring channel orcompartment 19 extending about the upper region of the centrifugal drum12 and in which there is collected the cleaned or purified liquidleaving the aforesaid drum 12, this liquid flowing out through an outletconnection or nipple 20. A stepped or offset delivery tube or pipe 22extending into the centrifugal drum 12 is mounted to a cover member 21of the centrifuge housing 18. The delivery tube 22 is provided with aninfeed or supply nozzle or pipe 23 for the liquid to be purified.Furthermore, retaining or support rings 24 and 25 are provided at thecover member 21 of the housing 18 in which two skimming tubes or pipebends 26 and 27 respectively, are rockably or pivotably mounted. Nozzles28 and 29 are provided at the respective ends of the tube bends 26 and27 extending into the centrifugal drum 12. As can be seen, thestabilizing vanes or impellers 14 are shortened or interrupted in theregion of the bends 26 and 27 and nozzles 28 and 29 respectively, inorder to be able to displace such nozzles up to the wall or jacket 12aof the centrifugal drum 12.

Actuating arm means 30 and 31 are operably connected with the tube bends26 and 27 respectively. These actuating arm means 30 and 31 worktogether with stop brackets or guards 32 and 33 respectively, with thebracket 32 further possessing a stop or impact latch or pawl 34 (FIG-URE 2) for retaining the actuating arm means 30 in its normal position.A transparent pipe or conduit 35 is connected at one end to the tubebend 26, the other end of which is connected with a throughpassagesocket or nipple 36 provided at the cover member 21. A conduit or line37 extends from the throughpassage nipple 36 into the ring channel 19and to its outlet connection 20. Additionally, a conduit 38 is connectedto the tube bend 27 through which is removed the sediment or sludgecontaining the separated solids.

During normal operation of the centrifuge both of the pivotable tubemeans or bends 26 and 27 are located in the solid or full-time positiondepicted in FIGURE 2. The liquid to be purified is continuouslydelivered through the inlet nozzle 23 and arrives beneath the separatingring 15 in the centrifugal drum 12 in which a liquid or fluid ring orfilm forms at the inner surface of the wall 12a of the aforesaid drum12. It will be appreciated that the solids collect at the outercircumference of the liquid ring, whereas purified liquid remains at theinner circumference thereof. In FIGURE 2 the liquid ring is assumed torotate in clockwise direction so that purified liquid at the innercircumference thereof is pressed into the nozzle 28 associated with thetube bend 26. This liquid 3 is conducted to the discharge or outletconnection 20 by means of the tube bend 26 and the conduits 35 and 37.

If, after longer operation, there has been formed an external sludge orsediment layer from the separated solids at the liquid ring, then theinfeed of liquid into the centrifuge is interrupted and the tube bend 26is gradually displaced towards the outside from the full-line positiondepicted in FIGURE 2, whereby the liquid film becomes thinner. If theliquid flowing through the transparent pipe or conduit 35 discolors,which can be easily ascertained by visual observation, then suchindicates that only sediment is still located in the drum 12.Consequently, the tube bend 26 is then pivotably returned into itsinnermost position, generally indicated at 26a in FIGURE 2, so that nosediment can flow out through the discharge connection 20. On the otherhand, the tube bend 27 is now rocked towards the outside, as indicatedat 27a in FIGURE 2, so that the sludge or sediment containing theseparated solids is pressed into the nozzle 29 and removed by means ofthe tube bend 27 and the conduit 38. When the tube bend 27 has beencompletely rocked or pivoted towards the outside then the nozzle 29 islocated at the inner surface of the wall of the drum 12, and practicallyall sediment, with the exception of a thin layer remaining at the innerwall 12a, is withdrawn from the drum 12. Now, both of the tube bends 26and 27 are again displaced via their actuating arm means into theillustrated full-line position, and liquid to be purified is againdelivered through the inlet nozzle 23, so that the normal operationcontinues.

The embodiment according to FIGURE v3 differs from that disclosed inFIGURE 1 in that, the centrifuge in this instance exhibits a conicalcentrifugal drum 39 which widens towards its upper end or top, in lieuof the cylindrical drum 12. Furthermore, in this embodiment there isprovided a single pivotal skimming tube means or bend 40 having a nozzle41 instead of the pair of tube bends 26 and 27 provided with the nozzles28 and 29 respectively. The tube bend 40 is likewise pivotably mountedand positionable through the agency of an associated actuating arm means42. A reversing element 43 which is advantageously constructed as athree-way tap or selector valve is operatively connected to the tubebend 40. A transparent conduit or pipe 44 leads from the reversingelement 43 to a throughpassage socket 45, and from this location aconduit 46 extends to the discharge or outlet connection 20.Additionally, a conduit or pipe 47 extends from the reversing element 43to a suitable non-illustrated sediment or sludge container.

During normal operation the tube bend 40 is adjusted to a positioncorresponding to the solid line position of the tube bend 26 depicted inFIGURE 2. Liquid which is to be purified is continuously delivered tothe centrifuge and at the inner surface of the wall39a of thecentrifugal drum 39 there appears a liquid ring, from the innercircumference of which purified liquid is continuously withdrawn intothe nozzle 41, this liquid then being conducted to the dischargeconnection 20 via the tube bend 40 and the conduits 44 and 46. When alarger quantity of sludge or sediment has formed at the outer region ofthe liquid ring, the liquid infeed is shut-oil and the tube bend 40gradually rocked towards the outside. In so doing there is initiallystill removed pun'fied or cleaned liquid. As soon as the escaping liquidcontains separated solids such can be observed through the transparenteonduit 44 by virtue of its changing color. Then, the reversing element43 must be reversed or actuated in such a manner that the remainingsludge or sediment is removed through the conduit 47.

In FIGURE 3, the tube bend 40 is depicted in its outermost position inwhich the nozzle 41 is located at the region of the inner side orsurface of the wall 39a of the drum 3% at its widened upper end. Asshould be appreciated, all of the sludge can be passed out of thecentrigal drum 39 due to the conical configuration of the wall 390! ofsuch drum. As soon as such occurs, the tube bend 40 is again returnedback into its normal operating position, the reversing element 43 againreversed, and liquid to be cleaned is again infed, so that the normaloperation continues.

In order to obtain an automatic operation of the cen trifuge atime-control unit or time switch 50 (FIGURE 1) or 51 (FIGURE 2) can beemployed. In the embodiment according to FIGURES l and 2 the time switch50 controls delivery of liquid to be clarified and adjusts the tubebends 26, 27 of the removal apparatus. With the embodiment according toFIGURE 3, the time switch 51 likewise controls liquid infeed, adjuststhe-tube bend 40 and, in addition thereto, reverses or controls thereversing element 43.

While there are shown and described present preferred embodiments of theinvention it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is notlimited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practicedwithin the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Centrifuge for the separation of solids from liquids, including: adrum having a bottom and an upstanding side; means substantiallyvertically mounting said drum for rotation about its axis; a motordrivingly connected to said drum for rotating said drum; at least oneskimming tube, said tube including a horizontal end length locatedwithin the drum and near the top thereof and having a mouth; meansadjacent said drum mounting said tube for movement of said horizontallength through a horizontal are; a lever connected to said tube forarcuately moving said horizontal length; a stop rigidly mounted adjacentsaid drum for limiting the arcuate movement at one end thereof; atransparent pipe section connected to said tube; at least one eductionconduit connected to said pipe section for removal of material from theskimming tube; a plurality of vertical stabilizing vanes rigidly mountedon said drum bottom; a vertical feed pipe located centrally ofandextending into said drum, the discharge opening of said feed pipebeing near and spaced from said drum bottom; a horizontal ring mountedon said vanes and in the vicinity of said discharge opening; and thearcuate movement of said horizontal length permi-tting movement of saidmonth between a first position neighboring said feed pipe and a secondposition spaced therefrom, which second position is determined by saidstop.

2. The centrifuge according to claim 1, including a second skimmingtube, said tube including a horizontal end length located within thedrum and near the top thereof and having a mouth; means adjacent saiddrum mounting said tube for movement of said horizontal length through ahorizontal are; a lever connected to said tube for arcuately moving saidhorizontal length; a stop rigidly mounted adjacent said drum forlimiting the arcuate movement at one end thereof; an eduction conduitconnected to said second skimming tube for removal of material from theskimming tube; and the arcuate movement of said horizontal lengthpermitting movement of said month between a first position neighboringsaid feed pipe and a second position spaced therefrom, which secondposition is determined by said stop; said second position of one of thetwo skimming pipes neighboring the drum side for removing solids and ofthe other being located intermediate said drum side and said feed pipe,for removing liquid; said other skimming pipe being connected to saidtransparent pipe section; and including means for releasably keeping themouth of said other skimming pipe in a position intermediate said firstand second positions thereof.

3. The centrifuge according to claim 1, wherein said second positionneighbors the drum side; and including 5 6 two eduction conduits, one ofwhich is connected through 2,431,142 11/1947 Schutte 23322 X saidtransparent pipe section to said skimming pipe; and 2,542,456 2/ 1951Ayres 23319 a valve in said one conduit for selectively connecting 3 092 3 7 19 3 i 233 2 said skimming tube to the one or the other conduit.

5 FOREIGN PATENTS References Cited 924,143 3/1947 France.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 349,106 9/1886 Koelkebeck. M. CARY NELSON, PrzmaryExammer. 981,681 1/1911 Peck 233 22 X HENRY T. KLINKSIEK, Examiner.2,242,713 5/1941 Tholl 23322 10

1. CENTRIFUGE FOR THE SEPARATION OF SOLIDS FROM LIQUIDS, INCLUDING: ADRUM HAVING A BOTTOM AND AN UPSTANDING SIDE; MEANS SUBSTANTIALLYVERTICALLY MOUNTING SAID DRUM FOR ROTATION ABOUT ITS AXIS; A MOTORDRIVINGLY CONNECTED TO SAID DRUM FOR ROTATING SAID DRUM; AT LEAST ONESKIMMING TUBE, SAID INCLUDING A HORIZONTAL LENGTH THROUGH A LOCATEDWITHIN THE DRUM AND NEAR TOP THEREOF AND HAVING A MOUTH; MEANS ADJACENTSAID DRUM MOUNTING SAID TUBE FOR MOVEMENT OF SAID HORIZONTAL LENGTHTHROUGH A HORIZONTAL ARC; A LEVER CONNECTED TO SAID TUBE FOR ARCUATELYMOVING SAID HORIZONTAL LENGTH; A STOP RIGIDLY MOUNTED ADJACENT SAID DRUMFOR LIMITING THE ARCUATE MOVEMENT AT ONE END THEREOF; A TRANSPARENT PIPESECTON CONNECTED TO SAID TUBE; AT LEAST ONE EDUCATION CONDUIT CONNECTEDTO SAID PIPE SECTION FOR REMOVAL MATERIAL FROM THE SKIMMING TUBE; APLURALITY OF VERTICAL STABILIZING VANES RIGIDLY MOUNTED ON SAID DRUMBOTTOM; A VERTICAL FEED PIPE LOCATED CENTRALLY OF AND EXTENDING INTOSAID DRUM, THE DISCHARGE OPENING OF SAID FEED PIPE BEING NEAR AND SPACEDFROM SAID DRUM BOTTOM; A HORIZONTAL RING MOUNTED ON SAID VANES AND INTHE VICINITY OF SAID DISCHARGE OPENING; AND THE ARCUATE MOVEMENT OF SAIDHORIZONTAL LENGTH PER-